Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham is one of five England players who will miss the semi-finals – if England get there – if they’re booked against Switzerland on Saturday
Gareth Southgate has admitted Jude Bellingham will be in the “spotlight” as the England midfielder treads a disciplinary tightrope.
Bellingham was hit with a £25,000 fine and one match ban – suspended for a year – as punishment by UEFA for his gesture after scoring his 95th minute equaliser against Slovakia.
Real Madrid star Bellingham is also just one booking away from missing a potential Euros semi final as he is one of five England players on a booking for the quarter final with Switzerland. Phil Foden, Kobbie Mainoo, Kieran Trippier and Conor Gallagher have also had yellow cards which get wiped after the quarter final stage.
Southgate will remind all five players about the yellow peril but admitted that Bellingham will be in the limelight after the UEFA verdict and will have to keep his calm if Switzerland try to wind him up.,
England boss Southgate said: “I think it’s a common sense decision. Clearly it’s an unprecedented moment in someone’s life to score a goal like that in the 96th minute. I don’t know how I’d have reacted in that moment if that was me, at his age as well.
“I’m just so mindful of everything he’s achieving and the spotlight on his world and at that age – or any age – nobody is going to be perfect at 21.
“You are at times going to react emotionally and without that emotion I don’t think you have the type of player he is, so I think he actually deals with everything so well.
“Discipline is something we always put a big focus on. Generally speaking, across all tournaments our discipline has been good. That is important. You don’t want to lose players on disciplinary issues.
“Jude is an incredible boy to work with. The maturity that he has, how he deals with everything that is put in front of him. The ability to impact games in the most important moments.
“The maturity that he has to deal with a world that is pretty much different to everyone else’s in the squad. I have a really good relationship with him.
“We talk, as I talk with all of the boys. But I do recognise there’s a lot of spotlight on him and I think he knows I’m there to support and help him as much as I can, as all the players would feel.”
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